Oslo-based startup Hystar has collected $26 million in a Series B round co-led by AP Ventures and Mitsubishi Corporation with the participation of Finindus, Nippon Steel Trading, Hillhouse Investment, Trustbridge Partners and its existing investors SINTEF Ventures and Firda. The startup specializes in advanced PEM electrolysers for large-scale green hydrogen production. The funding will pave the way for Hystar to accelerate its growth and expand into new markets. The Norwegian startup is targeting to deliver on larger (100 MW and beyond) projects and rapidly scale up to full commercial operations with an automated GW-capacity production line by 2025.
Hystar’s PEM electrolysers are the most efficient and safest in the world and have been designed for mass manufacturing from the very beginning. The ultra-efficient design, which is patented and unique to Hystar, boasts a 90% thinner membrane than conventional electrolysers, enabling the production of up to 150% more green hydrogen.
Hystar’s patented technology is a game-changer when it comes to tackling hard-to-abate sectors at scale, such as steel, ammonia, and heavy-duty transportation. The global steel industry alone, for example, will require 52 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually to decarbonize by 2050 according to Wood Mackenzie.
Fredrik Mowill, CEO of Hystar, said of the funding round: “Since our inception, we have been committed to rapidly scaling up to ensure the widespread commercial deployment of our game-changing technology. We are therefore excited to have closed our Series B funding round with such high-quality industrial and financial investors who can contribute to accelerating our growth. We look forward to working with our new shareholders to explore joint opportunities to deploy green hydrogen projects at scale. We’re also very happy that our existing shareholders, with AP Ventures in the lead, have continued their strong support of Hystar.”
Charlie Clark, Investment Manager, AP Ventures, said of their investment in Hystar: “We have been hugely impressed by the technical results and growth that Hystar has delivered over the past few years. We are pleased to have co-led this Series B funding round alongside Mitsubishi Corporation to enable Hystar to deploy automated capacity to scale the production of its world-leading PEM electrolyser technology. We look forward to continuing to support Hystar as it works to produce ultra-efficient green hydrogen which will be vital to support global efforts to decarbonize industry and society.”
Toshihiro Hayashi, General Manager, Mineral Resources Group at Mitsubishi Corporation, added: “Hystar has a critical role to play in decarbonizing global industry, which aligns with our strategic plan to invest in sustainable solutions for decarbonized societies. Green hydrogen is one of the key focuses for Mitsubishi Corporation and we believe Hystar’s unique technology has the potential to significantly impact its large-scale deployment. We look forward to working with Hystar as they ramp up to widespread commercialization and realize their game-changing ambitions for green hydrogen.”
Hans Maenhout, Investment Director at Finindus, said of their investment: “A lower cost and increased flexibility of green hydrogen production is the key to success when it comes to the role hydrogen has to play in decarbonizing our society. This is exactly what the Hystar technology provides. Add to that the intrinsic safety of Hystar’s electrolysers, as well as the design for mass-manufacturing approach which allows for utilizing existing supply chains, and you have an excellent value proposition to offer to industrial customers such as ArcelorMittal, the world’s second largest steel manufacturer and Finindus’ key industrial partner.”
Luke Li, Founding Partner at Hillhouse Investment, added: “The scale of decarbonization required for global industry cannot be underestimated; it is undoubtedly across these applications where green hydrogen will have its most profound impact. Hystar understands that, and its plans to commercialization in partnership with major industry players will pave the way for significant progress and a greener future – a vision Hillhouse is proud to support.”
Click to read more funding news.
